From Disaster to Downtown Shelter, Texas Kittens Await New Homes

LOWER MANHATTAN

<p>Marlan Roberts, executive director of Best Friends Pet Adoption Center, carries new arrivals, coming all the way from Texas, into the shelter. Right: One of those newcomers is Pistachio, getting acquainted with his temporary quarters. Photos: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib</p>

Marlan Roberts, executive director of Best Friends Pet Adoption Center, carries new arrivals, coming all the way from Texas, into the shelter. Right: One of those newcomers is Pistachio, getting acquainted with his temporary quarters. Photos: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib

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Six tiny felines, part of major airlift of endangered animals, arrive at a local haven for adoption.

CAROLINE SOMMERS

Posted

Jul. 14, 2025

There are some new cats in town.

Late Monday morning, six kittens rescued in the wake of this month’s devastating Texas floods arrived at Best Friends Pet Adoption Center [1] on West Broadway.

Since the disaster, the nonprofit organization Wings of Rescue [2] has been flying scores of animals from overcrowded, high-kill Texas shelters to partnering shelters in other states, including California, Florida, Virginia, and New York. This past weekend alone, Best Friends and Wings of Rescue collaborated to distribute 80 dogs and 44 cats to shelters across the country. Six were lucky enough to land in the 307 West Broadway shelter.

Top: In Texas, some of the many cats that will be transported to several states, including New York. Above: After their long travels, kittens are unloaded at the adoption center on West Broadway. Photo: Augieland Humane Society (Texas); Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib (arrival)

“The goal is for them to acclimate here in New York and become a part of the New York community,” said the shelter’s executive director, Marlan Roberts. Five of the felines kept to themselves; one, a 2.6-pounder aptly named Dust Cloud, made his voice known, meowing loudly and continuously. Seems he’s already “acclimating” to the city.

Arriving by van, the individually crated kittens were promptly taken to the shelter’s lower level where Lexi Kaul, the shelter’s Manager of Lifesaving and Care, weighed and examined them. Most had already been spayed or neutered upon their arrival in New Jersey over the weekend.

Making her job easier was a lickable (and apparently irresistible) cat treat called Churu, which comes in several flavors, including marshmallow—and cricket. “It’s liquid gold for cats,” said Kaul, “wins them over every time.”

Although Dust Cloud continued his nonstop chorus, Pistachio, Charming, Jerry Jones, Pinto Bean, and Special Feature sat by in their crates, silent as sphinxes.

Once examined, Dust Cloud and the much shyer Pistachio were brought upstairs to the nursery and placed in individual compartments, ready to win a heart and find a home. Pistachio was given a “hidey bed” so he could keep to himself. Dust Cloud ate like a champ, did his business, and then proceeded to claw at his window. He seemed to just want to get on with it. “Nuyorquino,” commented Ivonne Aguilar, spokesperson for Best Friends.

The cats will all be available for adoption later this week. Kaul won’t be surprised if Dust Cloud gets a taker right away. “Usually the loud ones get adopted first because they pull at the heartstrings,” she said.

The goal of Best Friends is to end killing in shelters. The adoption center, at 307 West Broadway, is open from 11am to 7pm, seven days a week.